Thai Coconut Chicken

Thai Coconut Chicken is an easy dinner recipe fitting for any family. My family loves that you can customize the spice level and add more ingredients, such as vegetables. It is an also a Thai recipe that doesn’t use curry.

Coconut Thai Chicken is a easy dinner recipe made with coconut milk, broccoli, ginger and flavorful spices. Dinner is ready in just 20 minutes!

Never had Thai food or never made Thai food at home? It is actually very easy and pretty healthy. Instead of using heavy, calorie ridden dairy products, Thai foods use a lot of coconut milk.

Many folks also associate Thai food with spice and heat. When preparing it at home, these flavors can be adjusting to your liking or even made sweet instead of spicy. You are in the driver’s seat.

If you’ve never used coconut milk, it is mild and doesn’t have an overly coconut flavor. In fact, I don’t even care for coconut that much, and I love coconut milk. I use it also in sauces, but also for rice.

Light coconut milk is basically just watered down and thinner than its thicker counterpart. You can use either light or whole in recipes, but be mindful that the consistency of the sauce will change based on which you use.

Thai ingredients are usually easily located in the International food aisle of your grocery store. You might even have some of them in your pantry already!

I serve my Thai Coconut Chicken over Lime Coconut Rice. The rice actually takes a few minutes longer than the chicken. Really, if you start it first, the entree will be ready just as your rice dings. Also check out my tips for making perfect rice, no rice cooker needed!

Hubby likes his Thai Coconut Chicken super spicy… like sweat beading on your nose, need tissues, eyes watering spicy. I like mine with a kick, but still able to enjoy and taste the other flavors.

Adjust the amount of chile sauce according to your taste. If you family doesn’t care for spicy at all, just omit it. And if you are like us and can’t agree, serve it on the side.

Same with cilantro. Did you know that some folks have a genetic marker that actually makes cilantro taste like dirt or dish soap?

Next time someone tells you they don’t like cilantro and you try to “make them try it this way,” just know it is an actual “thing” and no matter how you prepare it, they probably won’t care for it. Your Thai Coconut Chicken will still be super flavorful without it.

Tools for making Coconut Thai Chicken:

Heavy Bottom Frying Pan– this will be one of your most used kitchen tools. Having something that is heavy bottom will distribute heat better and prevent burning whether you are using an electric or gas range.

Good knife – Global is my favorite! They are worth the price, I promise. I am kind of obsessed with them and store them tucked away so no one else can use them. Including hubby. Hands off my good stuff!

If you like Coconut Thai Chicken, you’ll also love these other easy Thai Recipes:

In same pan (without cleaning it out or turning down heat), add onions, garlic and ginger. Cook until onions start to soften, approximately 2 minutes. If there is little to no oil left, add an additional teaspoon.

Return cooked chicken to the mixture. Toss to coat. The corn starch chicken will thicken the sauce. Cook over medium heat for an additional 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes before serving. The sauce will continue to thicken as the temperature decreases.

Spoon rice into a serving bowl, top with chicken and sauce. Garnish and serve with fresh lime wedges to squeeze over top.

If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how you liked it!

Recipe Notes

I sometimes add bottled roasted red peppers to give the dish more color. Just slice the peppers into strips and add in with chicken and broccoli to give them time to warm up.